Pneumatic conveyer



C. R. WEAVER AND A. G. FLECK.

` PNEUMATIC CONVEYER. APPLICATION FILED 11011.27, 1911. 115115111110 ocT.14,1920. 1,360,160.

Patented NOV. 23, 1920.

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UNITED srares PATENT OFFICE.

HIARLES E. WEAVER AND ANTHONY G. ILEOK, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS '1'0 IENEUMATIC CONCRETE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NEW YORK. N. Y., 'A CORPORA..

TION 0F NEW JERSEY.

PNEUMATIC CONVEYER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application med November 27, 1917, Serial No. 204,227. Renewed October 14. 1920. Serial No. 417,024.

To allzu/10m t may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES R. lVnAvnn and ANTHONY G. Flacon, citizens ot' the United States, and residents of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Conveyers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic conveyers adapted to be used particularly in the conveying of concrete, although not restricted to such use.

An important object of the invention 1s to provide in a device of the above mentioned character a means whereby the momentum ofa bulk of concrete may be materially decreased limmediately prior to the discharging of the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the above mentioned character a means whereby the momentum of a bulk of concrete may be maintained at a predetermined constant immediately prior to the discharging of the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character de scribed a means whereby concrete may be deposited at any desired point along the course of travel of the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device embodying our invention,

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view of a relief valve,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sleeve valve, showing the same in a closed position,

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sleeve valve, showing the same in an open position,

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 3' taken on the line 5 5,

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of F ig, 4 taken on the line 6-6,

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional View o a sleeve valve associated with a dischargepipe showing an abutment positioned and secured therein, and,

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional View of a portion of a discharge pipe.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustratmn is shown a preferred form of our invention, the numeral 10 indicates a hopper supported by any suitable means of support.; In this particular instance we have shown the same as being supported by a table or platform 11.` Immediately below the hopper 10 there is suspended a second hopper indicated by the numeral 12 which is adapted to receive therein from the hopper 10 a quantity of stone, sand, cement and water which is designed to be mixed by the self rotating effect imparted upon the same in its course of travel from the hopper 1() into the hopper 12. A' discharge receptacle 13 is disposed directly beneath the hopper 12 and is adapted to receive therein concrete from the hopper 12, which is directed into the receptacle 13 by means of a collector 14 disposed upon the upper end thereof as shown. This discharge receptacle is provided interiorly' thereof, at its upper end, with the conventional type of valve not shown, adapted to close the opening leading therein through which the concrete is directed in its course of travel from the hopper 12 as hereinbefore described. The discharge receptacle 13 is provided also with the conventional form of fluid pressure supply means which, in this instance, comprises a pipe 13 communicating a suitable source of fluid pressure with the interior of the receptacle 13. To the pipe 13 there is connected a second pipe 14 adapted to inject 4fluid pressure into a discharge pipe 15 in the direction of travel of concrete which is adapted to be discharged from the receptacle 13 into and through the discharge pipe 15 under fluid pressure supplied to the interior of the discharge receptacle 13 by means of the pipe 13 from a suitable source of pressure supply, not shown. A suitable valve 14 is disposed within the pipe 14 and serves as a means for establishing or severing communications between the pipes 13 and 14.

This discharge receptacle 13v is preferably supported by means of supports 15 and has secured to the lower end thereof a discharge pipe 15, comprising a plurailty of 'sections 16. While we have shown a plurality of sections 16 which make up the discharge pipe 15, we wish it understood that this discharge pipe may be formed of one continuous length if sodesired. At desired intervals along the discharge pipe 15 there block, as shown in Fig. 7.

is provided a plurality of openings 17 which are adaptedto be opened or closed by means of sleeve-valves 18, rotatably mounted upon the discharge pipe 15, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.. These valves are provided With openings 19 similar to those provided by the discharge pipe 15 and indicated by the numeral 17.' In order to prevent a longitudinal movement of the sleeve valves 18 in either direction upon the discharge pipe v15 there are provided annular collars 20, encircling the discharge pipe 15 adjacent the ends of the sleeve valves 18, which collars aie adapted to be secured to the discharge pipe in proximity to the ends of' the sleeve valves by means of set screws or the like as shown at 21. The end section of the discharge pipe 15 is provided with a block or abutment 22, having a beveled face 23 as shown. This block is retained Within the end section by means of an internally screwthreaded cap 24, having screw-thread engagement with the discharge pipe 15 as shown at 25, and is adapted to be removed from the end section and inserted into any one of the other sections through the Iopenings provided therein, in Which case it is held against displacement by means of one of the setscreWs 21 which is run down through the annular collar 20 and the Wall of the discharge pipe 15 into enga ement with the his block serves as a means for deflecting the concrete in its course of travel through the discharge pipe 15 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figs. 7 and 8 When the saine reaches the opening, Within the discharge pipe, through which it is desired to spill or discharge the traveling concrete.

In order to deliect the concrete through any one of the desired openings it is necessary to impede the moving concrete in its course offtravel. As a means for accomplishing this We have provided a plurality of pressure releasing means which are disposed upon the discharge pipe 15 and spaced at desired intervals. Each of these pressure releasing means, comprises a flange 24', surrounding an opening 25 provided by the discharge pipe 15. To the flange 24 there is secured a supporting frame 26 by means of internal and external screw-threads, as

shown at 27, which are carried by the sup-x porting frame 26 and flange 24, respectively. The upper end of this supporting frame 26 carries therein a vertically adjustable sleeve 28, having external screw-threads adapted to engage internal screw-threads as shown at 29. In order to permit easy adjustment of the sleeve 28 there is provided a hand Wheel 30,v secured to the upper end thereof, the sleeve 28 being provided with a lock nut 31 by which the same may be maintained in a desired locked position. We Wish it understood however, that should it be desired this lock nut may be dispensed with. A valve stein 32 is slidably mounted within the sleeve 28 and is provided at the lower end thereof with a valve 33 which is adapted to seat upon a valve seat 34 carried by the fiange 24. In order to maintain the valve 33 normally in a closed position there is provided a coinpi'essible spi-ing 35, carried by the valve stem 32, the upper end of' whichis adapted to engage the lower end of' the sleeve 28, while the lower end of' the spring is adapted to engage the valve 33, as shown. To the upper end of the supporting frame 26 there is secured an arm 36 carrying thereon a graduated scale 37 with which a flange 38, carried by the hand wheel 30 is adapted to register.

In use, the operation of the device is as follows: After a predetermined amount of concrete has been deposited within the receptacle 13 the same is discharged therefrom, by the conventional form of fiuid pressure means, through the discharge pipe 15 and out of' the opening provided by the end section, assuming, of coiiise, that the sleeve-valves 18 carried by :the discharge pipe l5 are closed. Should it be desired to discharge the concrete from the discharge pipe 15 at any other point other than at the end of' the discharge pipe a sleeve valve 18 is opened at the desired point and the block or abutment 22 is inserted therein as hereinbefore described. The point at which the concrete is desired to be discharged necessarily determines the tension to be maintained within the eoil-spring 35 of the pressure releasing means. If it is desired to discharge the concrete through the opening provided at the end of the discharge pipe the Harige 38 carried by the hand wheel 30 is brought into registration with a suitable graduation upon' the arm 36 whereby a tension may be maintained within the spring 35 to allow the valve 33 t0 be raised as the concrete passes through the pipe 15 in order to permit a predetermined amount of fluid under .pressure to be released from within the discharge pipe 15 thus impeding the concrete in its course of travel causing a gentle and even flow of the same through the opening. Should it be desired to discharge the concrete through any one of the other openings the corresponding sleeve valve is opened, the block inserted, and the spring 35 is set at the desired tension, as hereinbefore described, to release a suicient amount of fluid pressure to effectuate a gentle and even iow of concrete through the selected opening in the same manner as described above when considering tlie discharge of concrete through the opening provided at the end of the discharge pipe.

It is to be understood that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim as new and desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United tates, is: X

1. A device of the character described comprising a discharge pipe adapted to conyey material under pressure, and means for impedlng the material in its course of travel through said pipe, said means consisting of a plurality of pressure actuated valves disposed upon said pipe.v

g 2. A device of the character described comprising a discharge pipe adapted to convey material therethrough, iuid pressure means for imparting momentum to the material, and means for decreasing the momentum of the material in its course of travel through said pipe, the latter named means consisting of a plurality of pressure actuated valves disposed upon said pipe and means for varying the pressure point at Which the valves Will be actuated.

3. A device of the character described comprising a discharge pipe adapted to convey material therethrough, fluid pressure means for imparting momentum to the material, and fluid pressure releasing means for relieving the pressure along the line of travel of material for impeding the movement thereof, the latter named means consisting of a plurality of pressure actuated valves disposed upon said pipe and means for determinin the pressure point at which said valves Wilbe actuated.

4. A device 4of the character described comprising a discharge pipe adapted to convey concrete therethrough, fluid pressure means for moving the concrete through said pipe, and a plurality of valves disposed upon said pipe and spaced apart to' relieve the pressure whereby the movement of the concrete will be impeded, said valves being actuated by the luid pressure, and means for varying the pressure point at which said valves will be actuated.

'5. A device Aof the character described comprising a discharge pipe adapted to convey concrete therethrough, fluid pressure means for moving the concrete through said pipe, `means for discharging the concrete from said pipe along theV course'of travel therethrough, and a plurality of spring pressed valves disposed upon said pipe, said valves being operated by the fluid` pressure, and means for varying the pressure point at which said valves will be operated.

6. vIn a pneumatic concrete conveyer for conveying concrete under high pressure and at a high velocity, a discharge receptacle adapted for the reception of concrete, a discharge pipe connected With said discharge receptacle, pneumatic means for conveying concrete 'through said discharge pipe from said discharge receptacle, and means for releasingpneumatic pressure from said dis`- i p of the concrete Will be materially decrease 7. In a pneumatic concrete conveyer for v'conveying concrete under a high pressure and at a high velocity, a discharge receptacle adapted for the reception of concrete, a discharge pipe connected to said discharge receptacle and provided With a pneumatic pressure relierI vent in, proximity to the discharge end of said discharge pipe, pneumatic means for conveying concrete through said dischar 'e pipe from said discharge receptacle un er a high pneumatic pressure and at a high velocity, a relatively large proportion of the pneumatic pressure escaping through said pressure relief vent Whereby the-velocity of said concrete is materially reduced immediately prior to its ,discharge from said discharge pipe.

8. Ina! pneumatic concrete conveyer for conveying concrete under a high pressure and at a high velocity, a discharge receptacle adapted for the reception of concrete, a discharge pipe connected with said discharge receptacle, said discharge pipe being provided vvith a plurality of concrete discharge openings, pneumatic means for conveying concrete `from said discharge receptacle through said discharge pipe, the concrete being ejected from said discharge pipe through a selected opening, and means for releasing a relatively large portion of thev pneumatic pressure from said discharge pipe immedlately prior to the discharge of concrete through a selected one of said openings whereby the velocit of the concrete Will be materially decrease 9. In a pneumatic concrete conveyer for conveying concrete under a high pressure and at a high velocity, a discharge receptacle adapted for the reception of concrete, a discharge pipe connected to'said discharge receptacle and provided with a plurality oi concrete dischar e openings and a pneumatic pressure re ief vent arranged in proximity to each of said concrete discharge openings, pneumatic means for conveying `concrete through said discharge pipe from said discharge receptacle under a high onenmatic pressure and at a high velocity, a relatively large proportion of the pneumatic pressure escaping through one of said pressure relief vents whereby the velocity of said concrete is materially reduced immediately prior to its discharge through a given concrete discharge opening.

CHARLES R. WEAVER. ANTHONY G. FLECK. 

